Direction indicator for vehicles



March 6, 1928. 15661362 H.KRHDEL DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR VEHICLES Filed Oct. 28, 1927 Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiciE.

HANS KREIDEL, OF WIESBADEN, GERMANY.

DIRECTION INDICATOR FOB VEHICLES.

Application filed October 28, 1927, Serial No. 229,324, and in Germany January 20, 1926.

The invention relates to a direction indicator for vehicles with direction signs which travel selectively in one direction or the other when indicating. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated by the accompanying drawing, the direction sign consists of a strip arranged in a spiral line on the casing of a rotary drum and is illuminated by night. The drum rotates about an axis ranging transversely of the vehicle and preferably substantially horizontal. The advantage of a direction sign arranged in this manner consists therein that it is visible from all sides particularly also from the rear. The driver of a vehicle following the vehicle provided with the device can therefore see whether and in which direction the preceding driver intends to turn. In addition the strip on the drum casing arranged in aspiral line and illuminated in the dark gives a linear and definite indication of direction and thus acts more effectively than a rotary sign arranged in the well known manner on a. flat surface. The direct-ion indicator may be mounted on any suitable point of the vehicle for example on a mudguard or the like with the axis of the drum transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an example of construction of the invention.

Figure 1 is an elevation of the new direction indicator shown diagrammatically, and

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line AB of Figure 1.

(z is a hollow drum of round or polygonal cross section mounted horizontally in a suitable supporting frame I). At its ends the hollow drum is provided with pivot-s c by means oi which it rests in bearings in the frame 6. It can be rotated in either direction. By means of its bearing frame I). it may be secured to any point of the vehicle suitable for the purpose and where it can be readily seen, for example on a mudguard or the like. It may be driven by hand, foot or mechanically. In the example illustrated it is shown as being driven by hand by means of a crank 03 and a flexible shaft 6.

It will be understood thatthe axis of the drum a will be arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Around the casing of the hollow drum extends a prominent spiral strip 7'' of a sharply contrasting colour and illuminated in the dark, which according to the direction of rotation of the drum either appears to run to one side or the other thus indicating a movement by a line. Thus, when the driver of the car intends tov turn to the left, the drum a will be rotated in such a direction that the strip 6 will appear to betraveling to ard the left. For the many possibilities of construction of this rotary drum and of the spiral strip it is essential that the spiral strip should stand out sharply relatively to the casing of the drum, and it is preferably trans 'iarent so as to enable the light of a source of light provided in the interior of the drum to shine therethrough. As a source of light there is used for example a suitable electric lamp to which current is supplied by a slip cont-act.

The drum may be made of glass, celluloid or metal. The spiral strip is made of a bright transparent material or in the case of a metal drum for example, is cut out from this; in other words, the spiral in this case will be a spiral slot. The remaining portion of the drum casing is non-transparent and dark in colour. The device may also consist of two casings namely an inner transparent hollow drum of light colour and adark outer cylinder fitted tightly'over it and having the spiral strip cut therefrom as indi cated in Figure 2, both drums rotating in unison. Finally the inner hollow drum may be stationary and the outer metal drum from which the spiral strip is cut may be rotatable around such inner drum. The construction and assemblage of the complete device may also be varied according to the point of application and in accordance with the method oi rotating the drum which is rotatable in both directions.

Having thus described my invention, what. I claim as new and desire to secure by'Letters Patent is 1. A direction indicator for vehicles, com prising a member provided with an indicating spiral and mounted to rot-ate about a the indicating spiral will be given an apparenttravel toward the left or toivard the right, according to the direction in which said member is rotated.

2. A direction indicator for vehicles, comprising a member provided with an indicator movable transversely of the vehicle, to-

ward the left or toward the right, and means for causing such indicator in travel transversely in one direction or the other. 10

In testimony whereof I nfiixed my signature.

v HANS KREIDEL. 

